Product Description

It has been almost a decade since the release of Michael's best-selling Christmas album. Now he's back with a new set of Christmas favorites and original pieces. Arrangements and songs he first heard from artists like Andy Williams and Robert Goulet are brought to life again with the help of an all-star cast of musicians and arrangers, including the London Symphony Orchestra and guest artists such as Sandi Patty and Phil Keaggy among others. Single: The original song "Christmastime."

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Christmastime, the 1998 holiday release on which Michael W. Smith plays chemist and combines elements not previously forged together, is a study in contrast. His inclusion of three medleys of classic holiday tunes works more than it doesn't. But the addition of Christmas show tunes like "The Happiest Christmas," Kay Thompson's "Jingle Bells," and "Christmas Waltz" makes little sense. One has to be a crooner to pull these off and Smitty is many things but a crooner. The release's finest moments come in more contemporary style with the Chris Rice-penned "Welcome to Our World," Smitty's title track, and the Phil Keaggy-enriched instrumental "O Christmas Tree." Of the medleys, "Sing We Now of Christmas/O Come O Come Emmanuel " showcases Smitty's sensible arrangements as well as his now-famous "Emmanuel" chorus. --Michael Lyttle